Now General Alexander Dvornikov could wreak havoc in Ukraine as he is said to have taken control of Kremlin forces as a new offensive is planned in the eastern Donbass region. Dvornikov, 60, led the Kremlin in Syria from its inception in September 2015 to June 2016, a period in which Russian bombings reportedly killed thousands of civilians and destroyed markets, schools, homes and hospitals. . Explosion in Aleppo, Syria in 2016. Dvornikov was in control of Russian operations there until June of the same year MUHAMMED SHEEKH / ANADOLU AGENCY / GETTY The brutal tactics were part of a campaign to crack down on jihadists and guerrilla groups fighting Moscow’s ally, President Assad. President Putin awards Dvornikov the country’s highest state award, Hero of Russia
